The dim light filtering through the curtains painted the room in shades of grey, a perfect reflection of the fog clinging to Rukmini’s mind. Her eyelids fluttered open, heavy and reluctant, as if weighted down by the past two days of oblivion. The first image that swam into focus was Shruti’s face, etched with worry, her eyes a mixture of relief and lingering fear. They held Rukmini’s gaze, searching, as if trying to gauge the depth of her return.
“What…?” Rukmini’s voice was a dry rasp, a stranger’s sound. She tried to push herself up, a groan escaping her lips. “What happened to me?”
Shruti’s hand, cool and comforting, touched her arm. “You’ve been unconscious, Two days.” The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken anxieties. Rukmini’s parents hovered nearby, their faces etched with a worry that spoke of sleepless nights.
Suddenly, the dam of her memory burst. A torrent of images, emotions, and fragmented conversations crashed over her, leaving her breathless. The war, her father’s rage, the chilling whisper of the voice… Panic seized her. She lurched upwards, a desperate need to escape clawing at her throat. “I have to…” she gasped, her hand instinctively reaching for the door, as if running could undo what had been done.
“Rukmini! Stop!” Shruti’s voice, sharp with urgency, cut through the chaos. Her hands gripped Rukmini’s shoulders, firm but gentle. “Calm down. You’re safe now.” Their eyes locked. In the depths of Shruti’s gaze, Rukmini found a flicker of reason, a lifeline in the swirling storm of her thoughts. She took a shaky breath, then another, forcing herself to stay present.
Her parents approached, their faces etched with concern. “Rukmini, beta, are you alright?” her mother asked, her voice trembling.
Rukmini looked at them, her eyes distant, still lost in the labyrinth of her memories. “I… I don’t know,” she murmured, the words barely audible. She couldn't explain. How could she explain the impossible? Her parents exchanged worried glances. “Just rest, beta,” her father said gently. “We’ll talk later.” They retreated, leaving Rukmini alone with Shruti.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Rukmini turned to her friend, her eyes pleading. “Shruti, I… I have to tell you.” She began to speak, the words tumbling out in fragments, disjointed and raw. She talked of the voice, the choice, the impossible journey through time. It sounded insane, even to her own ears. “I… I was there,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I saw…”
Shruti listened, her brow furrowed, her expression a mixture of confusion and growing unease. “ what are you talking about? You were unconscious. You were feverish.”
Rukmini’s voice trembled. She looked down at her hands, searching for something, anything, to anchor her to reality. And then, she felt it. Her fingers brushed against the cool metal at her neck. She looked down. There, nestled against her skin, was Raman’s necklace. A gasp escaped her lips. She jumped out of bed, her feet moving as if guided by an invisible force. She rushed to the mirror, her heart pounding. And there it was. Raman’s grandmother’s bracelet, still on her wrist. Tears welled in her eyes, a mixture of relief and disbelief. It was real. It had happened.
She turned to Shruti, her hand outstretched, the necklace and bracelet clutched in her palm. “Look,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “These… these were his. From Raman.”
Shruti’s eyes widened, her confusion slowly giving way to a dawning understanding. She didn’t understand the how, but she couldn’t deny the truth in Rukmini’s eyes, the palpable emotion in her voice.
In the days that followed, Rukmini physically recovered, but her mind remained a battleground. Life resumed its rhythm, but the ache in her heart was a constant companion. She yearned to find Raman, to bridge the chasm of time that separated them. But doubt whispered insidious questions in her ear. What if he was lost to her forever?
Her parents, sensing her unease, decided on a trip to Dhaka, hoping a change of scenery would help. Shruti, ever loyal, insisted on accompanying them. The preparations offered a temporary distraction, but beneath the surface, Rukmini’s heart remained heavy.
As she packed, a strange sense of calm settled over her. The storm within subsided, replaced by a flicker of hope. Perhaps in Dhaka, she would find answers. Perhaps she would find the strength to face whatever the future held. A small, tentative smile touched her lips. She was ready.
To be continued....................................
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Veiled Hearts✔️
Romance"He, a soldier fighting for freedom. She, his lost diamond-a beautiful storm of memories. And he was her reason to survive." Disclaimer: This work is a piece of pure fiction and should be treated as such. The following points clarify the intent and...
